And as you read it, you realizenot only has he beenpersecuted for his faith,but now he's been put in prison.And he's asking you to step it upin the prayer department.

So you read on...Continue earnestly in prayer,being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;meanwhile praying also for us,that God would open to usa door for the word,to speak the mystery of Christ,for which I am also in chains,that I may make it manifest,as I ought to speak.Colossians 4:2-4 NKJV

Wait... what?!

You mean, getting throwninto prison... and placed in chains,isn't a good enoughexcuse to say..."Look God, I've been trying, here.But this is a tough crowd.So I'm gonna take a break."

Because I think that's whatI'd most likely say in thatdismal sitatuon.

And here, our friend, Paulwrites asking for prayerthat even in his chainshe would have an opportunityto share, to speak, to make knownthe gospel of Christ.

Can you imagine?Because I simply cannot.

I'll be honest to say that I'm notalways faithful in sharingwithout chains.

Are we truly followers of Jesusor simply those who want touse His name as a one way ticketfor the after life?

Because that will leavea whole lot of people onthe wrong side of eternity.

An Paul had a passionto spread this gospel...this good news of Jesus andHis resurrection, for all to know.

Not only for eternal salvation,but for a better life today.

Clearly, Paul had somethingI need more of...higher perspective.

He had a way of seeing pasthis current circumstanceto understand the weightof eternity.

He was long-sightedand not short-focused.

I want more of that,but honestly,it shakes up the easy thingsI choose and makes me uneasy.

Maybe this should make us feeluncomforatble.Maybe it's supposed to.Because we were createdfor eternity.

So I think I'm going to hang ontothis feeling for a while today...marinate in it,pray about it,let it break down my defensesuntil I'm ready to make a change.

Even if I'm not ready for chains,I can still be ready forcontinued, earnest prayer...vigilent with thankgivingthat God would open to (me)a door for the word,to speak the mystery of Christ...that I may make it manifest,as I ought to speak.

Lord, help me in this...my weak will and fearwhich makes this soundso very foreign to the lifeI've settled into.

Word of Godtrain me today...To be more aware that salvation should notend with me as a self-centered decison.

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from my heart...

I write as an overflow... an expression of my true love for God and with a deep desire to encourage others in their day to day lives. For we can only find peace, joy, and satisfaction when we yield to the One who yielded His life for us.